Process for Manufacturing a Conveyor Belt

A method of manufacturing a conveyor belt having a top layer, a bottom layer, and a fabric reinforcement layer which is sandwiched between the top layer and the bottom layer, said method comprising:

• (a) applying a rubber composition to the bottom side of a fabric reinforcement and scattering a productive thermoplastic elastomer composition onto the top side of the fabric reinforcement to produce an uncured belt structure;
• (b) continuously feeding the uncured belt structure into a double belt press to press the productive thermoplastic elastomer composition together with the fabric reinforcement at a pressure of at least 12 psi to produce an uncured belt;
• (c) heating the uncured belt in the double belt press to a temperature of at least 300° F.;
• (d) and maintaining the uncured belt in the double belt press under a pressure of at least 12 psi and a temperature of at least 300° C. for a residence time of at least 20 minutes to produce a cured conveyor belt;
• and,
• (e) continuously withdrawing the cured conveyor belt from the double belt press;
• wherein the productive thermoplastic elastomer composition is a blend of peroxide crosslinking agent which is supported on a powdered carrier, and non-productive thermoplastic elastomer pellets which are made by extrusion with a co-rotating, intermeshing twin screw extruder;
• and,
• wherein a thermoplastic elastomer, at least one filler, and at least one processing oil are blended in the co-rotating, intermeshing twin screw extruder in making the nonproductive thermoplastic elastomer pellets.

A method of manufacturing a conveyor belt having a top layer, a bottom layer, and a fabric reinforcement layer which is sandwiched between the top layer and the bottom layer, said method comprising:

• (a) applying a rubber composition to the bottom side of a fabric reinforcement and scattering a productive thermoplastic elastomer composition onto the top side of the fabric reinforcement to produce an uncured belt structure;
• (2) continuously feeding the uncured belt structure into a double belt press to press the productive thermoplastic elastomer composition together with the fabric reinforcement at a pressure of at least 12 psi to produce an uncured belt;
• (3) heating the uncured belt in the double belt press to a suitable temperature;
• (4) and maintaining the uncured belt in the double belt press at a suitable pressure and at a suitable residence time to produce a cured conveyor belt;
• and,
• (5) continuously withdrawing the cured conveyor belt from the double belt press, wherein the uncured belt structure, the uncured belt and the cured conveyor belt are produced in a single continuous operation.